The Gods Return: The Third Volume of the Crown of the Isles (Lord of the Isles)

By David Drake

Book Overview

The Gods Return is the end of the Crown of the Isles trilogy and the final chapter in the Lord of the Isles. The Fortress of Glass began the tale of how the new kingdom of the Isles is finally created by the heroes and heroines who have been central to the tale: Prince Garric, heir to the throne of the Isles, his consort Liane, his sister Sharina, her herculean sweetheart Cashel, and Cashel's sister Ilna. The Mirror of Worlds followed them on an overland journey to the small kingdoms of the Isles to confirm Garric's succession and subdue, if necessary, any who refused to pledge fealty. In The Gods Return , the Isles have been more or less unified under Garric's rule, but the Change that created the continent, has removed the old Gods of the Isles from reality and released other Gods from other planes of existence. Now the servants of the forbidden Gods of Palomir call forth The Worm, an ancient thing that threatens to devour all life in the newly formed kingdom and make way for the reign of dark Gods, now awakened to ambitions of worship and dominion. Some are bad...and some are worse.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0765351188
• ISBN13: 9780765351180
• Release Date: December 2009
• Publisher: Tor Books
• Length: 463 Pages
• Weight: 0.54 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 4.1" x 6.7"

Customer Reviews

Great ending to a series...

If you haven't read the first books in this rather lengthy series the true brilliance of the ending will be lost to you. I think it is still a worthwhile read on its own, but if you've followed the development of the characters the wrap-up is one of the best I've ever read. While I don't particularly care for the frequent switching of the point of view, Drake does it as well as anyone. Without giving away the plot, the characters are consistent both in the story and the longer series.

exciting finish

After the great victory especially over the Palomir Empire (see THE MIRROR OF WORLDS), Prince Garric, Princess Sharina and wizardess Tenoctris thought they would have time to mentally and physically heal from their ordeal. The triumphant threesome figured to the winners go the spoils; in this case Garric ruling over the united isles. Instead no rest for the weary as their Palomir enemies refuse to accept the last defeat should have meant the end of the war. Instead the Change that led to the trio's win also brought radical Change to the pantheon of the Gods; the Old have vanished while other divine beings replace them. In this context, the desperate Palomir turn to their forbidden deities with prayer and rituals culminating with human sacrifice. Their Gods listen and send forth the horde of Rat Men. At the same time the Sky God heeding a ritual from the sea bring forth the Worm devourer of entire villages. Adding to the victors' woes is the hypnotically powerful mysterious Scorpion King. The exciting finish to the Crown of the Isles (see THE FORTRESS OF GLASS) is fast-paced as the bone tired Garric, Sharina and Tenoctris battle on three fronts against extremely powerful adversaries. That however is also the problem with the otherwise exhilarating story line as the brave heroes seem to cast off their mental exhaustion and physical bone weariness with a shrug too easily, which in turn reduces what at first seems like three invincible opponents. Still fans of the series will enjoy THE GODS RETURN. Harriet Klausner